Country Giants

I've written before about songs and what they've meant to me, how they affected me, etc.  I completely overlooked a whole genre, one in which I am very fond as well.  As the barmaid in "The Blues Brothers" says, "Oh, we got both kinds.  We got country AND western."

You can't help but like Kenny.  The man is probably the most entertaining entertainer of the last 10 years.  Mr. Chesney has his hits, hit big hits, and his mega hits.  The man has made some great music.  I have a little soft spot for "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy."  Not his best work, but I love it.  It IS country music....at least the way I like it for the most part.  Fun, stupid, tells a story, talking about farm equipment: it has it all.  I remember hearing it when I was younger.  I was 16 and driving on my way to school.  Rocked it out.  Rocked it out the next time I heard it too.  And every time I hear it now I rock it out again.

Martina McBride can flat out sing.  No question about it.  The chick has pipes that are almost unparalleled in all of MUSIC, let alone country music.  I get goosebumps on probably half of her songs.  The notes, the length, the clarity, the purity.  I have nothing but appreciation for Martina.  And her song "Independence Day" brings it home.  She has some wiggles in her voice to drive it home on the back end of the song, just to make sure you're paying attention.  Love that voice.  Man.  Goosebumps.

Brad Paisley is sneaking in there in my top country artists these days.  He's got some really fun lyrics and full songs.  "Alcohol," "Water," and "I'm Still A Guy"......all great.  He's not afraid to have fun with his stuff.  My favorite, and probably most influential (for many reasons) is "I'm Gonna Miss Her."  Sometimes a man has to do what he wants.  Sometimes a man has to make the tough call.  Sometimes a man has to go fishing and worry about the consequences later.  No worries out on the lake.  I know I've taken those words as advice from time to time.....in past lives of course.

Reba.....a goddess to country music.  She brought me up.  My mom, sister and dad all loved her.  There was no escaping her while I was growing up.  She dominated.  Turn it up and let her rip.  She made us cry with "She Thinks His Name Was John."  She got us jacked up and hating the stupid people of the South with "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia." And she rocked our world with "Fancy."  That was the song.  That was the song that was played over and over and over.  She killed it.  Good story, good lyrics, great emotion, awesome voice.....nailed it.  I can remember hearing it while standing in my living room just getting totally pumped, goosebumps jumping up and down my back, hair standing on my head.  I wanted to be Fancy....only the guy version (not too sure).

And Garth.  The man has more hits, money, alter-egos than he knows what to do with.  Take your pick on practically any song and it meant something to me.  The live albums with the biggest hits are the go-to Garth songs, but there are some lesser known songs that have stuck with me the most.  He's kind of like Michael Jackson to me in that way, only not (and on the same level).  You might know "Thunder Rolls," "Friends in Low Places," and maybe even "Standing Outside the Fire."  He just didn't know how to screw up a song for a while back then.  Everything was great.  The one that still gives me chills, the one that still gives me that nostalgic feeling...."The Night I Called The Old Man Out."  I never got into a fight with my dad and I think this song had something to do with it.  The consequences, the fear, the respect.  Gripping song.  Love you dad.....don't hit me.